Marine Corps celebrates 234th birthday

The United States Marine Corps will turn 234 on Tuesday and birthday celebrations will be taking place at bases stretching from the halls of Montezuma all the way to the shores of Tripoli.

Marine Air Corps Station Yuma, however, got the party started a few days earlier by holding a formal ceremony at the base's parade field on Friday morning.

"Happy 234th birthday. And most of you don't look a day over 18," MCAS Yuma Commanding Officer Col. Mark Werth said during the celebration.

Also, as part of the birthday festivities, induction ceremonies were held for two young Marines, Lance Cpl. Hong Chen and Cpl. Josbie Morris, who both became United States citizens.

"It's something I will always remember," said Morris, who was born in the Philippines. "It made me feel very proud."

Chew, who grew up in Virginia but was born in China added, "It was very exciting. From now on I can celebrate the Marine Corps' birthday and my becoming a citizen on the same day."

Morris said he was born in the Philippines while his father, who is still in the Marines, was stationed there. Although his father was a U.S. citizens, Morris' birth certificate lists him as being a Philippine citizen.

Both Chen and Morris said they joined the Marines out of a desire to serve their country.

"I always wanted to serve in the military and thought the Air Force," Chen said. "A buddy of mine talked me out of it. He said if you are going to join the military, why not join the best?"

A large crowd of officers, enlisted personnel and air station civilians attended the ceremony, which recognized the long and rich history of the Marine Corps and the sacrifices of those who came before them and made the Corps what it is today.

The Marine Corps' official birthday is Nov. 10, 1775, when the 2nd Continental Congress passed a resolution that "two battalions of Marines be raised."

To recognize that historic date, the then-commandant of the Corps, Gen. John Lejeune, issued an order to celebrate the Marines' "birthday" every Nov. 10 with a ball.

Friday's birthday ceremony opened with the traditional reading of a birthday message from Lejeune, who was 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps.

"Since that date, many thousands of men have borne the name Marine," a Marine said as he read from the message during his narration of the ceremony. "In memory of them, it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of the Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history."

Since 1921, Gen. Lejeune’s inspirational birthday message has been read each year during the Corps’ birthday celebration.

"The record of our Corps is one which will bear comparison with that of most famous military organizations in the world's history," the narration read. "In every battle and skirmish since the birth of the Corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term Marine has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue."

A birthday message, which also paid tribute to the men and women who serve today, from current Marine Corps Commandant Col. James Conway was also read.

"United States Marines represent the best young men and women our nation has to offer. To be a Marine is to be a member of America's warrior class - to be one of the few who steps forward with the courage and conviction to face whatever danger awaits."

"Our nation expects her Marines to ready when the nation calls; to leave family and the comfort of home behind; to march into battle and thrive under austerity; and to come home under a banner of victory."

Also in a birthday message, Conway encouraged Marines to reflect and pay tribute to those Marines who have given the last full measure in defense of freedom.

"We extend our appreciation to our countrymen who have answered our every need. And we celebrate the magnificent men and women who willingly and selflessly continue to go into harm's way to protect this great nation," Conway wrote.

After the messages, the Marines remembered the men and women who have served the Corps for the past two centuries in a uniform pageant.

As part of the pageant, Marines wore uniforms that have been worn through the Corps' history, dating back to the time of Continental Marines to the warriors of present day. Each era had its accomplishments recognized.

Also part of the ceremony was the traditional cake-cutting. The cake is cut using a sword, with the first piece of the cake going to the oldest Marine present and the second piece to the youngest Marine.

The sword was delivered to the parade deck by a corpsman who repelled from a search and rescue helicopter that flew in and hovered 100 feet overhead.

The cutting of the cake symbolizes the passing of traditions from one generation to the next. Master Gunnery Sgt. Roberto Pou was this year's oldest Marine at 52 and Lance Cpl. Robert Hedgepath was the youngest Marine, born Aug. 10, 1991.

As the ceremony drew to a close, those in attendance stood one last time as the Navy and Marine Corps’ hymns filled the parade deck.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.